The Ramona Air Attack Base reopened Monday following a months-long construction project that paves the way for a new tanker base at the fire station.
Local leaders gathered to celebrate the county’s new resources — including Cal Fire’s fourth of seven planned C-130H air tankers that will be used statewide — a reconstructed tarmac and fire retardant reloading bays.
“The Ramona Air Attack Base has long served as a cornerstone of aerial firefighting in San Diego County,” Cal Fire Unit Chief Tony Mecham said. “With these upgrades now complete, the base is fully operational and positioned as a critical hub in Cal Fire’s expanding aviation program.”
The upgrades replace an aging facility with a modern, state-of-the-art fire retardant mixing plant designed to enhance efficiency and support the increased size and operational requirements of the new aircraft, Cal Fire said.
The tanker is a crucial piece of Cal Fire’s firefighting resources because it can drop large fire-retardant loads on a wildfire. It’s being added to Cal Fire’s current fleet of three aircraft, one air attack platform and two air tankers that are based in Ramona.
Cal Fire San Diego Capt. Robert Johnson said the facility will include a station that can hold up to 75,000 gallons of retardant, which is enough to refill the C-130 nearly 18 times.
The Ramona Air Attack Base was built in 1957 and is also home to an S-70 Cal Fire Hawk helicopter that’s equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank, hoist rescue capability, and the ability to transport helicopter crews into remote terrain.
The completion of the project marks a significant milestone, strengthening wildfire response across the county and regionally, according to fire officials.
Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler, San Diego County Fire Chief Tony Mecham and County Board of Supervisors Chair Tara Lawson-Remer attended the event.
The U.S. Coast Guard transferred the C-130H aircraft to Cal Fire via the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, officials said.